"Racing wasn't the best part of hud's life, you were".

Hello! This is my first fanfic ever here. This is based off of Cars 3, just that, Doc is still alive in this fic. Based off of what Smokey says to Lightning as he is training to be able to beat storm. I have no idea why I shipped it so much after that small flashback scene in Cars 3 but whatever.

Warning: This is a slash fanfic, if you do not like this please look somewhere else M/M (Lightning McQueen/Doc Hudson). So please don't get angry about it being a slash, you have been warned.

I do not own Cars, Obviously.

The next day after the big crash

Lightning woke up in the hospital, his eyes opening slowly from the bright light coming through the window of his room. Doc had been waiting there in the room with him since Lightning was transported to the hospital. He noticed Lightning starting to open his eyes and he moved next to him. "How you feeling hot rod?" he said in a calm and soothing manner.

"D-Doc... ?" Lightning asked, his vision a bit blurry but slowly clearing up a bit, even so, it was a bit difficult to see with his windshield broken. "It's kind of hard to see you…" he said a bit worryingly.

"Don't worry, your windshield is just cracked but it can be replaced and your dents and other damages will be fixed". Doc said reassuringly, trying to give lightning some light. Lightning sighed a bit and doc slightly frowned.

"How bad am I?", Lightning's face clearly expressing sadness.

"It's not as bad as you think kid. Other than your windshield, all you have is a small bit of damage to your frame and a few dents, most of them nothing major." Lightning sighed again.

"Will I be able to race again Doc? I mean, Cal and Bobby have retired already, so many others from my generation too…" Doc knew where he was going with this, lot's of younger cars were now taking the scene and many cars when he was a rookie were retiring. Lightning was starting to feel, maybe his time was up from being in the spotlight. Small tears were forming in his eyes.

Doc let out a small sigh.. "Kid… I don't want what happened to me happen to you. I won't let it happen." It hurt Doc, seeing the expression on Lightning's face, from a face full of confidence to a face of worry and sadness. "You'll be back on that track before you know it, trust me." He said in a reassuring tone.

They both sat in silence for a while. Doc just happy Lightning was okay and Lightning happy to have Doc here with him. Doc ended up breaking the silence, "I almost forgot, you got some company, I told them they can come in as soon as I came out."

"Alright Doc."

"See you in a bit." Not long after Doc left, Cal, Bobby, and the King came in.

"Cal, Bobby, the King? W-what are you guys doing here?"

"We're here to check on our friend of course." Cal said, smiling slightly. Cal brought some flowers with him to put beside lightning, he knew it was kinda weird but felt like it would be a good thing to do for his good friend. "We were watching the race from bobby's house, you gave is mighty good scare there bud."

"At least he's okay" said Bobby, moving right next to Cal and the King following, nudging Cal playfully. "So when did they say you'll be back up and running again?" he asked curiously.

"They said about less than a week." McQueen said unmotivated followed by a large sigh.

"What's wrong kid?" The King asked, concern in his voice.

"I don't know… I told Doc earlier before you guys came in. Should this be my time to retire? Is my time in racing over?" All three of them had a face of concern.

Cal got a bit closer to Lightning "Lightning… You decide when you're done, that's not for anyone else to decide."

Lightning sighed, "thanks Cal." They all chatted for a bit, trying to cheer Lightning up and it worked, they were there for about half an hour joking, laughing, and what not. It sure did help Lightning having his friends visit him

Time skip to the following week

Lightning was in his room still in the hospital when he heard a knock. "Come in." He answered. Doc came in with a bright smile on his face, Lightning couldn't help it but smile himself seeing Doc smiling. "Oh hey Doc." He said in a much more cheerful tone.

"Great news rookie, sou-."

"Doc, i'm not a rookie anymore... " Both frowned.

"Look kid, it's just something I call you, it's something i've always called you by along with a couple other names." He chuckled. "Look, anyways… I brought you some good news, seems that you're able to leave today, but just need to take it slow for a couple days." That made Lightning smile slightly. He was happy that he was getting out of the hospital. Sitting there doing nothing was torture to him. He absolutely hated the 7 days he spent in there.

"Finally." He said, letting a small laugh. Doc smiled back, all he wants is to see him happy, and everytime he smiles, he can't help but smile too.

A little bit later, Doc was leading Lightning through and out the hospital, they thanked the nurses and the doctors. As they slowly drove out the front door, they say Guido, Luigi, and Mack waiting outside for him.

"Lightning McQueen! It's good to see you again!" Luigi yelled ecstatically. All of them having bright smiles. Outside they can see all the paparazzi's waiting for him and once they heard Luigi they all turned at once and all starting closing in on Lightning but Doc kept him close while Mack, Luigi, and Guido kept them away.

All of them started asking questions at once, "McQueen what are you thoughts on Jackson Storm"

"Have you heard of the record he's been setting?"

"Have you put any thought into retirement?" All 4 of them drove into Mack's trailer and Mack hooked himself up the trailer and started driving back to Radiator Springs. All of them we're silent in there. All of them fell asleep shortly after they left.

Once they got back, all his friends were there to greet him. Sally, Sheriff, Red, etc. were all happy to see him. Doc drove by lightning making sure he was taking it slow.

"Good to see you lightning!" Flo said.

"Yeah, great to have you back and seeing you're okay kid" said Sheriff. All of them greeted him and then all went to Flo's for a quart of oil.

They all drank outside together, talking, having a good time and happy that Lightning was alive and well. "Hey Doc?"

"Yeah kid?"

"Do you think we can go over to Willy's Butte and you know, thrain a bit…?" Lightning asked, in a tone to see if he can try to convince Doc to let him go full speed.

"Remember you gotta take it slow for now Hot Rod, it's just for a little bit."

"How long is a little bit?"

"Just about 2 to 3 days, even so we'll be building up your speed so you won't have to take it completely slow all those days." Lightning sighed in relief, at least he won't have to endure taking it slow. "But for today, just take it slow, tomorrow we'll warm up and try maybe around 120 through 140 mph."

"Sounds fair enough" Lightning nodded. "For the meantime, care to take a slow drive to Wheel Well and see the view from up there?"

"Sure thing Hotrod."

They both started on their way, driving side by side, a bit closer than normal, they didn't notice or feel it. One or two of the other cars war suspecting something stronger forming between them they don't know about. But only time can tell, who knows, maybe they've just become extremely good friends. They drove slowly on the winding road to Wheel Well. Enjoying the scenery the road provided. They made it to the top as the sun was beginning to set. They stopped and watched the sun set. Lightning forgot of all the challenges he was going to face in the future about his racing, and what he can do to beat Storm and the actual consideration of retirement. He ignored all of it and watched the sun set with Doc.

"What a beautiful sunset ain't it Doc?"

"It sure is indeed."

Welp, that was chapter 1. I'm not the greatest writer in the world so forgive me for any mistakes in grammar, punctuation, etc. I shipped this couple after watching Cars 3, I know it's kinda weird, there's a few other fanfics i've seen on this couple that are a lot better than mine but eh. Review's greatly appreciated, just please no flaming on the slash, if you do not agree or take offense or whatever to this slash, please just look somewhere else. Thank You.

TBC